Montana man gets 60 years for raping deaf, blind, mute woman

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A former janitor at a group home in Helena was sentenced to 60 years in prison for raping a resident who is deaf, blind and unable to speak, a judge ruled.

Zane Richard Frisbie, 57, was charged with sexual intercourse without consent, which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and maximum of 100 years in prison, the Independent Record reported.

Frisbie entered an Alford plea, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence for a conviction, authorities said.

Frisbie immediately quit his job after the group home manager caught him trying to rape the woman in July 2019, court records said.

Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike McMahon sentenced Frisbie to 60 years with the possibility of parole after 15 years, when he is 72. If released, Frisbie must register as a sex offender.

“This is a human being who had no ability whatsoever to protect herself,” McMahon said. “This court sentence will make sure vulnerable people are protected from Mr. Frisbie.”

Evaluations found Frisbie to be a level one sex offender, meaning he is unlikely to re-offend, prosecutors said. He was recommended to go through sex offender treatment for his behavior.

The defense recommended a 50-year sentence with 40 years suspended. Frisbie agreed to remain on probation and parole for the remainder of his life but just wanted the ability to see his grandchildren.

County attorney Leo Gallagher said he could not provide a sentencing recommendation for the “horrible” crime, but conceded that Frisbie had taken responsibility for his actions.